Re: could this be pancreatitis? to

[Guest guest]

> so, if i get tested, will pancreatitis show up even if i'm not

having

> an episode? or do i have to be having an episode for the

levels to

> be high enough to be diagnosed?

>

> carrie

Hi ,

Whether or not your levels will be elevated is very much an

individual thing. With some people, the lab test will show

elevated amylase and lipase levels, and with many others, it

doesn't, even during an attack. Everybody is different, and some

tests just aren't accurate enough to tell the whole story. That's

why this condition can be a very complex one to diagnose, and

it's also why so many patients have to have several of these

tests done before a diagnosis can be determined.

Other than the complete blood count (CBC), doctors can do other

tests to determine pancreatic insufficiency, such as the fecal fat

test , triglyceride tests. tripsinogen testing. X-rays, ultrasounds,

MRI's, CAT-scans, EUS tests and the ERCP are all other

diagnostic procedures to check the pancreas.

With hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

Southeastern Representative

Pancreatitis Association, Intl.